Chicago Fire vs. Philadelphia Union | 2019 MLS Match Preview

With Atlanta United approaching fast in their rearview mirror, the Philadelphia Union need to win to fend off their challengers and remain atop the Eastern Conference, while the Chicago Fire are looking to bounce back from a midweek loss at Portland.

The Fire (7-11-9), in 10th place in the East but just three points below the playoff line, had a modest three-match unbeaten streak snapped Wednesday night when they fell 3-2 to the Timbers at Providence Park. Jorge Moreira and Brian Fernandez scored 10 minutes apart to give the Timbers a 2-0 lead inside of 21 minutes. Nemanja Nikolic cut the deficit in half in the 74th minute before Fernandez netted his second two minutes from full time. CJ Sapong struck in the 90th minute, but an equalizer didn't materialize.

The Union (13-7-6) have won three of their last four and two in a row after defeating the Houston Dynamo 2-1 Sunday at Talen Energy Stadium. After Christian Ramirez canceled out Kacper Przybylko's opening strike with his first Dynamo goal, Jack Elliott netted the winner for the Union in the 76th minute, tapping in his own rebound off the crossbar.

This is the second meeting this season, with the Union winning 2-0 in Chester July 20 on goals by Marco Fabian and Anthony Fontana.